Naacp Says It Sees Signs Of Progress Group Satisfied Despite Lack Of Action By Deland

April 23, 1986|By Patsy V. Pressley of The Sentinel Staff

DELAND — The West Volusia Chapter of the NAACP took its case for policy changes in the DeLand Police Department to the city commission and, even though no action was taken, members said they are satisfied their message has been received.

They said they believe they are making progress in the wake of the Feb. 25 shooting death of Charlie Brown Jr. by two DeLand officers.

''At least we made one more step in the right direction,'' said Charles Williams, political action chairman of the local NAACP chapter.

During the recent commission meeting, the group asked the city's policymaking body to:

-- Seek national accreditation for the city's police force.

-- Impose a moratorium on the state's fleeing felon law and examine existing policies on the use of deadly force.

-- Re-assign officers John Provenzano and William Wilson to desk duty or to zones outside the predominantly black community.

-- Establish a citizens advisory committee to address community issues.

The commission took no action Monday on any of the proposals but City Manager Scott Rohlfs agreed to meet with the group May 5 to discuss forming an interim task force. The results of the informal meeting will be sent back to the commission for its regular May 19 meeting.

Meanwhile, Police Chief Richard Slaughter said he has directed four officers to review all of the department's policies.

Rolhfs said he thought some of the group's recommendations quickly could be resolved, but he would hesitate to push for a moratorium on the fleeing felon law as long as it is in effect statewide.

Commissioner Robert Apgar agreed that some of the suggestions had a ''great deal of validity,'' but he also questioned implementing a moratorium without a replacement policy.

Slaughter said later that the Florida Police Chiefs Association has called for changes in the law, but its members want to ensure police are given some leeway. Slaughter is president of the association.

The chief added he is not adverse to some of the proposed changes and ''I'm sure that some good will come out of it.'' He said he might consider reassigning the two officers to another section of the city, although he could not guarantee they would not answer calls in the black community because of the limited number of officers.